More than 200 representatives of the Hampshire’s cultural sector attended a special event at the University of Winchester.
The event was organised by Culture Connects, a loose grouping of organisations and individuals which aims to develop a cultural strategy for the county which can be presented to the new mayor of the Hampshire and Solent Combined Authority (HSCU) following the local government shake-up in May 2026.
Among those gathered at the University’s West Downs Centre were managers of museums, arts venues and visitor attractions, councillors and local authority officers, representatives of national parks, festival and event organisers, and a mix of individual artists including painters, dancers, writers and singers.
All had a chance to have their voice heard at a series of ‘Open Space’ sessions where participants set the agenda.
Before these break-out sessions the scene was set by four speakers: Cllr Nick Adams- King, leader of Hampshire County Council, Carolyn Abel, Director of Culture and Tourism at Southampton City Council, Cllr Paul Harvey, leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Ginny Graham, Senior Relationship Manager at Arts Council England.
They were introduced by Paul Sapwell, CEO of Hampshire Cultural Trust, who highlighted the creative sector’s economic importance to the region. It is worth £5.25 billion and supports 80,000 jobs, a third of which were freelancers.
Paul Harvey told the gathering that the arts sector had to break out of its silos, and asked the audience: “Do you share your work? How inclusive are you? How do you reach the poorest communities?”
Carolyn Abel urged creatives “to shout a bit more” about their contributions to society.
Nick Adams-King said the new devolved authority presented an opportunity for the sector: “It give us the chance to design a system that works for Hampshire and works for you.”
Ginny Graham said that formation of HSCU offered “…potential for culture to be used for regeneration” revitalising under-used spaces and supporting talent and skills development.
“This is the moment of opportunity to establish a clear view of the region’s strengths and potential,” she said.
Pictured at Culture Connects (from left): Nick Sweeting (facilitator) with speakers Cllr Paul Harvey, leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council , Carolyn Abel, Director of Culture and Tourism at Southampton City Council, Paul Sapwell, CEO of Hampshire Cultural Trust, Ginny Graham, Senior Relationship Manager at Arts Council England, and Cllr Nick Adams- King, leader of Hampshire County Council, and Jo Stark, Head of Innovation & Commercialisation at the University.
Following the event Jo Stark, Head of Innovation & Commercialisation at the University of Winchester, said: “It was wonderful to see such a large turnout for this event and so many different strands of the creative sector represented, from freelancers to managers of large organisations.
“As a local anchor institution, we are dedicated to building a thriving and dynamic community where art, celebration of our heritage, and innovation flourish. Collaboration is the key to creating a vibrant region where it’s a great place to live, work and study.”
Writing in the Andover Advertiser, Yinnon Ezra, chairman of Test Valley Arts Foundation, praised the event: “So often culture is at the bottom of any investment list – organisations and individuals having to compete for the crumbs that fall off the table.
“Here is a real opportunity for "Culture United" to be assertive and clear about the contribution it makes to everything from education, social care, economic development, health, etc. and yes making you feel good!”
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